Page 145 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Mr Gove inspects
Merchant’s Academy – Bristol ACF
Merchants’ Academy Bristol welcomed
VIP guests to launch its unique Cadet and Leadership Centre. The then Education Secretary Michael Gove and former Chief
of the General Staff, General Lord Dannatt visited the south Bristol school to perform the official opening. Merchants’ Academy is one of the few state schools to have its own Army Cadet Force and was the first to have its own cadet centre and firing range.
The centre and range are part of the vision of The Society of Merchant Venturers who sponsor the Academy. All was
ready for use soon after the
school opened in 2008 but
Cadets with Gen Dannatt at Merchants Academy
it took time to build the cadet force which is now one of the 20 Detachments within the City and County of Bristol ACF. The Merchants closed detachment is unusual in that students take part in some of their ACF activities during
Hankinson Commander of 43 Wessex Brigade, Colonel Jane Thompson Commandant of Bristol ACF, Chris Curling Chairman of Governors and Anne Burrell the Executive Principal.
the school day. The centre also houses Withywood ACF, an open detachment that meets in the evenings.
...an opportunity to be stretched, challenged and to grow
Treasurer of the Merchants, Richard Morris, explained
that the Cadet force detachment, centre and range was the vision of the Merchant Venturers
The government
aims to encourage 100 cadet forces within
state schools by 2015. Encouraging
an ethos within education is important and General Lord Dannatt saw
demonstrations by the cadets including:
from the very beginning of their involvement in sponsoring the academy. He stated
“it was a pioneering initiative that is now being taken up in other places. The cadets are adding to the rich mix of co-curricular opportunities at the Academy. There is no other state school in Bristol with a Cadet force and our shooting range is by far the best in the area”. Mrs Burrell said: “The Academy wants to help our children achieve more than they ever thought possible.
The Cadet force offers young people an opportunity to be stretched, challenged and to grow. It is about raising their aspirations and developing their personal qualities.” Colonel Thompson said the Merchants’ cadets were among 560 in Bristol who had the opportunity to develop confidence and leadership skills with the help of 120 adult volunteers. “The joy of the job is seeing them progress”.
climbing;
fieldcraft; first aid; skill at arms;
and, shooting. They were greeted on arrival by Brigadier
Piers
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